Saudis dole out cash to tsunami victims

Saudis dole out cash to tsunami victims

MEULABOH, Aceh: A group of Saudi businessmen appeared in the remote tsunami-ravaged town of Meulaboh Saturday on what they said was a mercy mission to personally dole out US$2 million.

Armed with briefcases full of cash, the Saudis peeled off Rp 100,000 (roughly $10) notes to give every adult survivor in a relief camp while offering 50,000 to children.

"The situation here is bad. We want to help our brothers and sisters," one of the businessmen, Abdullah Hamid, told AFP.

"We have a lot of money with us. We have already spent two million dollars," he said.

Abdullah said his group of business friends back in Saudi Arabia would also fund the construction of houses for the victims.

"My message to the people in Saudi and all over the world -- don't forget these people. Help them," he said.

Entire communities on the western Aceh coast around Meulaboh were obliterated by the tsunami disaster, which left at least 110,000 people dead on Indonesia's Sumatra island. -- AFP